Beware of advanced techniques on a novice tank...

[Sk8r]

When tanks are new they are nutrient-poor and the action of greatest benefit is
a) slow, gradual addition of life [don't rush it] including the size of the initial cleanup crew
b) no dosing of anything except the basics (alk buffer, calcium, magnesium---AFTER accurate testing for levels!!!!)
c) no miracle potions or exotic 'rare' specimens
d) regular water changes of 10% weekly [this replenishes all needed trace and major elements].
e) consultation with RC more advanced members on major moves and acquisitions.

Understand that a tank undergoes major changes in nutrient levels and bacterial processing strength on its way to maturity. Not everything appropriate for a 3-year-old tank is appropriate for a 6-month-old tank of the same size. And not everything appropriate for a 100 gallon tank is applicable to a 30 gallon.

TALK to people and be very up front with the AGE AND SIZE of your tank before leaping into things like carbon dosing and element/nutrient supplementation. And get several opinions from senior reefers before deciding on a course of action. BE AWARE that there is absolutely NO regulation by the FDA on fishy potions and such, and any snake oil can be marketed with a nice label and a claim. Be a suspicious shopper: a good fish store is an asset, but remember---they have to sell to stay open, so buy what you need and support them, but be SURE it's appropriate for your tank before you buy it.

 

[GimpyFin]

Good advice, especially with avoiding flashy additives and supplement concoctions. IMO, the majority of them are a waste of money anyway and it's just adding extra stuff to your tank that you're not testing for.

 

[Litfury]

Great advice. Especially for someone like me that just received their tank and has been researching for months ahead. Plan on going slow then when your equipment arrives you get excited and want to speed things up. This was a good reminder to relax and be patient ha.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

has been researching for months ahead.

This is key. Reefing is an expensive hobby and you will no doubt purchase expensive additives or equipment that you later realize was a mistake or unnecessary. The more you research before you start, the less this will happen. And don't base your opinion on one thread, read 5-10 discussing the same subject you will often hear varying opinions.

I also only listen to personal experience. "I tried that additive and found it worked well." vs "I heard it doesn't work" or "My friend tried it and it nuked his/her tank."

 

[kmbyrnes]

One of your better pieces of advice.
AS a novice I thought everything about my tank required some fancy additive or bit of equipment. Now that my tanks are matured, I do less, worry less and enjoy them more.
Ask those more experienced before you add anything other than water and food to your less than 1-year old tank. It is still trying to figure out out to become a balanced ecosystem without you throwing everything out of whack by adding the latest, greatest supplement you read about in a magazine.
Keep it simple.

 

[Bpb]

I talk to a fair amount of new hobbyists. Without fail, every last one of them think they have to dose calcium. Only calcium, and right away, constantly. It's a common assumption that more is better with calcium period the end. First thing I do is explain the role of calcium and bicarbonate in forming skeletons and shells, which quickly dispels the notion that it must be dosed. I see a lot of new hobbyists adding bottled dead phytoplankton too. I hate to generalize, but I can only imagine they all spoke to the nearest high school sophomore working at the petco and asked him or her what all they need to have a healthy saltwater tank, and were guided to the colorful $12.99 bottles on the shelf. I have personally witnessed this happen many times and I just shake my head. Too non confrontational to interrupt


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